Sweet Lillie

So my mom got this cute thing to make for Halloween and when Lillie and were making it Lillie said mom I have a great idea...let give this to grandpa Ab...So I went with it. I thought that is was so cute that is what she wanted to do with it. She was so proud when she went to give it to him all by her self. I thought that was so sweet and I know someday I will need reminded of this so I wanted to share it here so I could read back over it.

Halloween

Hi this is Lillie....dear lillie i like preschool, my favorite thing is playing with toys. I was a princesses for Halloween my fav thing here was getting a lot of treats. I love to do things with my mom. I like polka dots and brushes. Dear Tobey "she say hold on" (many other random things) ok now she wants to go and play with toys with him....there you have it what lillie wants to say on the blog. She said that she had something to say so i told her she could share.

Now it mommy turn. Halloween was great this year, Tobey was a Ghost and Lillie was a Princesses. This was the first year that they really got what was going on. It was so nice that the were so excited. It makes me look forward to Christmas even more. We went to the school carnival and the kids loved that they got the were there costumes and slide on one of those big blow up things. We went to Horner3's Corner trick-or-treating and the kids though that was great. Lillie didn't like the haunted trailer at the school or anything scary but she made it through.

1st day of School for Lillie

Look how cute she is!!!! This morning we were cuddling in bed and we told her school starts today. She said "AHHH I am so excited" Mrs Tera said that she was so excited she did some of everything. As for me...I was fine just trying to figure out which thing that needed done today that my kids would appreciate the most that I did with out them.

We are almost done with the remodel on the basement and I couldn't be more excited it has been a long 2 months. I will share photos later. Here are a few funny things that has happened with the kids in this time.
-Katy was helping us the other night and we were getting the kids cloths put together and she mated there sock. Something that I don't do. So the next morning when I was getting Tobey dressed I asked him to go and get his socks and he got two bundles. I threw one back to which he was so mad because "I want to wear 2 socks".
-We had all the white base board on the floor from when we painted the house. I was working on painting the fun wall and left the black out. The next morning the kids came up stairs and proudly announced that they went down and made Train tracks with the black paint on some of the white boards which I wasn't proud of.
-The day that we got carpet (so moving down that night) I caught both kids coloring on there wall. I came UN-glued. Got the love Mr Clean erasers.
-The morning that Tob went down stairs and found that I had changed his room color from red to blue he said...."mom this is awesome"
-When we started with this process the only thing that the kids were missing was each time they would come to work in the basement they would take more carpet out. Tobey told me that we needed to spank them for taking the carpet.

All in all this will be really nice when we are all the way done and moved back in. The kids are loving having there own rooms. I am loving having to re-organize everything. OK only some of the time I am loving it. Man we have a lot of junk.

Well here goes some kind of a update.....

How do you update after not really writing for 6+ month.......you don't you start new. Lillie is helping me and she wants to say... Mom: What do you like to eat? Cottages Chesse, Ketchup, eggs and grapes. Mom: What do you want to do this summer? Lillie: I want to swim and play out side all summer, I also want to play in the snow.(um) also her mew fav Excvation. Mom: What your favorite toy? Lillie: Princesses, Tinker bell,fire trucks. There you go from the month of Lillie. Now we will talk to Tobey tommrow or sometime soon.

Christmas...and an update!

Well, all and all it went well. We were all at Dad and Mom home. We had a great time being together. I really enjoy the time together that the adults get to spend on Christmas Eve. We had a great time doing our last min wrapping. Tobey got a tool bench and Lillie got a doll house. That is what Santa brought and they were very happy with the old man. Jed got me and Ipod and a DS what else could a woman ask for. LOL

I am proud to let you know that we are almost 100% out of diapers during the day. Now when we first had Lillie I knew that we were in for a good long time until we would not support Costco with our Diaper and Wipes addiction. However, we are now there. Lillie will be 3 on the 21 of this month. Costco has gotten plenty of our money. Lillie likes brother Big Boys more then the Big Girls that we had for her. I think because dad keeps her will educated with whole Hulk, Spider man and Lighting are, so when it comes down to putting on some lamb panties that have flowers on them it just doesn't cut it. The other funny thing with that is that she would wear them backward because then she can see the image better. I am so glad that Jed and Mom pulled thought and we now have Tinker Bell and Ariel....we are saved we now have "Big Girls" that she will wear!

In October Tobey had surgery,he had his Tonsils and Adenoid taken out and his Tubes replaced. The Tonsils and Adenoid needed to come out due to sleep apnea. I really wasn't ready for this to happen so close to Dad's Stuff. As you all know Tobey writes his very unique book when it comes to medical stuff. This surgery proved to be much the same. Let's just say that in the end he had 4 anthologist and an ENT to get him out of Anistece. He likes to shut down and stop breathing then they take the tube out. After 3 attempt they were able to get it out. The Anostigist Dr Holly said that it s the worst case all 4 of them had seen. Dr Holly said that there should be no more surgery for this little man. I asked if there was we would request him. He then said "You can but I am calling in sick." LOL

Christmas Tag!

OK here is the deal, I am in a Christmas Funk, I think that there and many reasons for that but this is my favorite Holiday. We put up the tree today and that helped. This year we are doing Lighting and Princesses theme tree. Which by the way the kids loved.

So Jed called today and said that he wanted to go and see lights and the Zoo tonight because he knew that I have been struggling with this. He said that might help me. That made me cry because it was so thoughtful. When i hung up Lillie said Mama I miss Papa too. (Every time i cry she says that,,,aw so cute:) but I told her that I was talking to Dada. She then went to the phone a picked it up as if he was still on the phone (which he wasn't) and said Dada you be sweet to Mama and don't make her cry! How cute is that.

So I found this tonight (While blog stocking, Thanks Adree) and thought this might help me as well!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping, not saving the plant here!
2. Real tree or artificial? REAL (everyone that has gone fake has tried this year to change my mind) However I love the tradition of going and cutting them down! Dad I will stay strong
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually we cut them Thanksgiving weekend, how ever this is Today.
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years
5. Do you like Eggnog? Love it but you have to mix in milk to make it not as strong
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I remember the year we got Cabbage Patch dolls and thought that was so great.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? Jed---He always has a list LOL (lets see if he really reads our blog)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I wish that I did, I am going to get one!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail and scrapbook them!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Not the worst but my fave is Dad and Mom always get Superwash tokens!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually start in Oct but then get most of it on Black Friday
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No I am to much of a pack rat.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Coconut Cream Pie :( so now I will have to say the Prime rib mom makes Christmas Eve!
16. Lights on the tree? The more the better
17. Favorite Christmas song? Not sure I love a lot of them, I will have to think about that one
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Jed someday I think would like to go to GA but as for now I win and we stay in Heber
20. Angel on the tree top or Star? Lets me honest there is never really a normal top the way we cut trees. More Pic to come later
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? PJ
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? figuring out what the kids would like the very most.
23. Favorite ornament? Lillie changed this one today, We bought a Princess Castle when I took it out of the bag she squealed and jumped she was so excited, I then told her we had to be very careful so we don't break it and she said, "Mama put it up high so i don't hurt it."
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? The wonderful dinner we have on Christmas Eve
25. Favorite Christmas cocktail? Diet Coke and Dr Pepper
26. What do you want for Christmas this year? My kids and husband to be happy!
27. What don't you want for Christmas this year? Stuff I don't need, I am trying to get back to basics which is hard for a pack rat!!!
28. What is something you have never done that you want to do for Christmas? Work in a Soup Kitchen of a Homeless shelter.

I am Tagging...
Lindsie, Angie, Audery, Chelsey, Rachel, Cammile, Sandra, Gramdma Girl, Deb, Mindy Probst (Mariessa, Katy, Emily & Shauna - if you had a blog:() and who ever else wants a little Christmas Spirit from memory lane.

You Are Mulan!

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Tobey "4" Really

Tobey had 3 Birthday parties.
1- We did lunch on the day of his Birthday with present and food from Dairy Keen. What more could he ask for then lunch from DK.
2- That night we went to Dad and Mom's and had dinner, cake and ice cream and a movie in there Theater room.
3- This last weekend in St George we went to Jumping Jacks with the whole family. The kids had a great time. Then we went to the park and had pizza and cake again.

I think that he was a great success. I Love you Tobey and here is to many more Birthday and many more memories!!!!

Thanksgiving

So many things to talk about and update you on, however we will start with Thanksgiving. We decided to go to St George with the family. Over all we made it through the whole weekend. The dinner was so nicely put together by my sisters and mom. We got there late Wed night so most everything was done. They did an outstanding job and I even got some G F stuff. It was nice to all be together under one roof and the day that we were thinking of things that we are grateful for. When I woke up on Thursday morning it gave me peace to know that under one roof were so many people that I Truly care about. That was reason to be very thankful. Of course it was VERY hard not to have Dad there with us. We all dealt with that in our own ways but it was nice to all be together!

As for my husband I am Thankful for....
1-He is a great Dad and Husband
2-He works hard to take care of us
3-He continues to trust and stand by me through this life adventure

As for Tobey I am Thankful for....
1-He is learning and growing so much
2- How mild mannerd and easy going he is
3- How he never gives up and just keep trying

As for Lillie I am Thankful for....
1- How she wanted to be so very independent
2- How she says and does the funniest thing, she can always make me laugh
3- She is very helpful with many things through out the day, which i always appreciate.

I love my Family and the Lord with all my heart.....I wouldn't have it any other way......because as we have all learned that is all that we have in the end!

Guess who's in charge....

Well I am not sure what it is about Lillie lately but she thinks that she is running the show. I have had a few rough days with her. However, we had a talk tonight and I pray that she will start to get better tomorrow. If not..... We will keep working at it. She got a new bed yesterday. Nana came over today to watch the kids for a min. While she was here she took Lillie crib apart. So tonight Lillie fell asleep in the Van on the way home for Nana and Papa house (side note...it feels so good to call there home Nana and Papa because that is what it will always be, however whenever i say it that way to the kids they correct me and tell me that Papa is with Heavenly Father....which always makes me cry...so I have had to call things just Nana's....Mom you need to know that I know it will always be the two of you,) OK back to the story...so I brought her into the house and she sleep through me getting her in her PJ. I then laid her in her new bed. She look at me with the most concerned look on her face and said "Nana broke my bed today." It was so funny!



Today was Tobey's IEP and it went well. He is making great progress. We talked about his goals from last year and for the most part he has meet most of them. I am so proud of him!!! His 1st IEP I cried my flippin eyes out. No tears were shed over that today. I was also so proud of him today he put on his shoes for the 1st time all by himself. The past 6 months he has really taken off.



Well Dad got another Friend today. Dakota past away today. He hasn't been doing very well, but today was his day to go and play with Dad and Jack . The Family has always told me that I don't like him (I don't really care for dogs all that much) but I can say that I have shed a tear for him today. I am sure that Dad is glad to have him though.



Anyway, here is to a Better Tomorrow.

Tagged.....

OK have been tagged twice now with this and it was a long time ago. I am so sorry!!!!! Anyway have fun learning more about me.

4 things I love about my husband: His Patience with me, How much he trusts me, How he loves me, and how much I love him and how we have grown in that Love!

4 movies I could watch over and over: Not really and Over and Over again kinda girl...however with kids that list would look like I Love Cars, Nemo, Shark Tales, Enchanted, Surf Up, the list could go for hours. Especially on Insp week.

4 TV shows that I watch: Terminator (with Jed) ,Gray's, Private Practice, Eli Stone

4 place I have been: New York, Alaska, Lake Powell, Jackson Hole

4 places I'd love to go: Lake Powell, New York, Paris, Washington DC

4 things I look forward to in the next year: Working through all the 1st with Dad, going on a vacation with my family, Lillie starting Pre-School, Planting another Garden

4 people I tag: Freak I sucked at this so anyone that wants to! LOL

Hard Telling.....

All Right here we go...it's hard telling how this one will turn out! I have been avoiding this for over a month now. That is why I haven't blogged in a long time. I think that I haven't been ready to put my feelings down in black and white about my Father's passing. However, for some reason, now is the time. . .so get this. . .it's 11:34 pm and I have had a long day with Mom and Angie in SLC listening to a bunch a lawyers fight a legal battle that my parents have been involved in for about 3 years. ... the point of bringing that up is that MY MOM IS THE STRONGEST PERSON THAT I KNOW!!!!! Throughout my life, with what ever my parents have been up against, they have handled it with grace, integrity, love, selflessness, honesty, foresight, and an amazing ability to see the good in every one and thing. My mother has shown every one of those characteristics through this whole ordeal. I would hope that if I were in Mom's situation I could have the strength that she has, but I don't think that I could. Mom, I have more respect for you today then I have ever had in my life and you truly are my Hero and I Love You!

This has rocked our whole family to its core and as we all have said so many times the world is a different place without Dad! We have learned alot about each other as a family that we haven't maybe known before. I can tell you this and that is that I couldn't have made it thought this without my loving husband, my kids, my mom and my sisters. Over the years time has changed so many things in our relationship as a family. However, this has forever changed our bond and our understanding of what is important. When the Duke family came to the viewing we connected in a way that I never thought that we would . They have also lost there Father with in the the past year. We are part of a new crappy club we have decided. There is strength in numbers and we will all make it though this I am sure.

So, in church we talk about how if you do what you are suppose to then all will be OK. Pay your tithing, go to church, meetings, temple, VT, HT you know the list. But what is OK? I am not OK with this and to be honest it totally sucks and sometimes I am down right pissed off. This is the hardest thing that I have ever been through. However, in the middle of all these emotions that I have been feeling in the past month, my heart is aching yet my mind tells me that I need to wrap my arms around the fact that this is God's plan, that it was Dad's time to go and that it will all be OK!

My Dad was the most amazing man that I have ever known, the void that I feel can never be filled. I am honered to call him Dad and a Friend!!! His funeral service was a true tribute to the man that he is and the life that he lead. In the Wasatch Wave a family friend wrote a letter about dad and he said "Mark's sermons weren't taught by the Book of Mormon's that he gave out, but by the life that he lead." What a true statement that is.

So here are some things that I wanted to get down on paper so that when i have a low spot in this journey I can reflect on some of the memories that we are left with at this time.

5 things that I want my kids to know about my Dad

-how much he loved Grandma and his Family
-what an honest man he is
-what a hard worker he is
-how he could fix anything
-what a soft heart he has and how he loves everyone

5 things that I have learned from my Dad

-when you get knocked down just keep trying
-to keep your mouth shut and let people talk
-always look at the positive side of things
-to be honest in all your dealing
-give life all that you have got even when you don't think that you have anymore to give.

5 things that my parents relationship has taught me

-what the word Love means
-don't sweat the little stuff
-it's not worth fighting about it (I have NEVER heard my parents raise there voice at each other)
-how to respect your partner
- what I want my relationship to be

5 funny thing that dad would say

-2 rules of plumbing 1-shit never runs uphill 2-don't lick your fingers
-finish work should be done with a chain saw
-when asked why he is always so good he would reply, "low expectations!"
-there is a deal everyday
-not really what he would say, but the look that he would give you that would tell you that he wasn't pleased

5 thing that I will miss the most about him

-his wisdom
-his ability to always know what to say and how to handle a situation
-his interest in my life and my family
-his ability to fix anything
-cuddling with him on the couch and talking about whatever comes to mind

Alright Sister's...Tag your it..

Dad, I want you to know that I miss you more then I could ever put into words. I can't wait to be with you agian, but until then I hope to continue to feel your love and influence on this earth. My last request is the ---May "God be with (all of) us tell we meet again."--- I Love You Dad!

Well, tommorw it's been two weeks!

It's amazing to me that its been that long...sometimes it seams like time is flying and other time so slow. When we started this adventure they said they we needed to measure the progress by weeks not days. So two weeks into this we have come a long way. They are working to get him off sedation now, the way that they do this is to take it off for as long as they can and then put it back on when he can't tolerate it anymore. They did it yesterday for about 2.5 hours. It was hard to watch. He moves a little more each time, he doesn't really open his eyes it not like he is all the sudden awake. The sedation meds store in your body so it will take a while for it all to wear off. The reason that they needed to put it back on was because of his blood pressure, which has been a issue for him since he was 19. The thing that is really good it that the reason isn't because of his icp (brain pressure). That tells me that the brain is doing better. Anyway, I have said that dad has always tried to teach us Patience.....now its ulitment patience. I know that the road will be long, however, I know for a fact with the Lords help its Possible. Someone reminded me the other day how the Lord gives you straight to be able challenges. I can feel that daily!